AUBURN � Even though Monday�s mayoral forum covered issues candidates have discussed since the summer, or before, some spectators agreed the forum brought those topics, and candidates, to light.
The three men vying for Auburn mayor, David Dempsey, Timothy Lattimore and Michael Quill, participated in the forum sponsored by Cayuga Community College Monday evening.
�This was wonderful. Now we know who they are and what they stand for,� Ruth Holmes said. The Auburn resident added the two hours gave her something to think about regarding who should step into the role of mayor for the next four years.
On a few keystone issues, such as the firefighters union contract, the participants had to be reminded it was an open forum, rather than a debate.
Forty people sat in folding chairs listening as a handful of people inquired about points of concerns.
Both Dempsey and Lattimore spoke about the negative financial impact of the 15-firefighters per shift contract. Members of the audience then asked why the two men failed to vote it down. Dempsey agreed he approved the contract but said he relied on the city manager and department heads to provide recommendations. Lattimore was nettled for his decision to abstain because his cousin served on the fire department.
Former councilor Bill Jacobs countered by asking if council filled empty positions to prevent overtime situations.
�Do you want someone who has experience in the private sector,� Lattimore asked later, gesturing to both he and Dempsey. �Or do you want someone who, looking at a contract, may have some favoritism.�
When asked for positions on having a private company operate the city-owned landfill, all candidates gave different shades of the same answer.
Dempsey used almost all of his three minutes to explain the landfill�s financial situation, but finished by saying he was against it.
Lattimore didn�t answer specifically, simply saying he would rather the city employees be in the �power business not the landfill business.�
Quill said he was against the idea at first, but would examine all possibilities.
Student body president Garret Komarisky moderated the event, at times reining the candidates back to an open forum rather than debating each other.
He asked the men about the college�s future, the event�s setting.
Dempsey said he wanted to explore making the school into a four-year institution.
Lattimore spoke about school�s geospatial innovations, and later revisited the issue at the urging of an Ithaca College student in the audience. He went on to say he didn�t know if expanding was the right thing for the college.
Quill suggested the college partner with businesses and area workplaces to give students access.
They also covered economic development. Small businesses are important to economic growth, and the city should care for what�s here, Dempsey said.
Lattimore pointed to increasing energy costs that scare away industry as the main factor that needs attention. Quill shunned the maverick-type maneuvers thus far used to building industry and pushed teamwork, especially leaning on the employees and groups whose jobs are designed to increase development.
Besides their ideas, the candidates were asked what they would bring to the mayor�s seat.
Dempsey said he would bring his years of political experience � eight on Cayuga County Legislature and eight on Auburn City Council � as well as his knowledge of the private sector.
�With all due respect, Mayor Lattimore has four years to do what he thought was best,� Dempsey said.
Quill said he will bring a new perspective and change.
�It�s time for a change. We need our integrity back. It�s embarrassing what goes on... some of the antics at the meetings,� Quill said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
�This was wonderful. Now we know who they are and what they stand for,� Ruth Holmes said. The Auburn resident added the two hours gave her something to think about regarding who should step into the role of mayor for the next four years.
On a few keystone issues, such as the firefighters union contract, the participants had to be reminded it was an open forum, rather than a debate.
Forty people sat in folding chairs listening as a handful of people inquired about points of concerns.
Both Dempsey and Lattimore spoke about the negative financial impact of the 15-firefighters per shift contract. Members of the audience then asked why the two men failed to vote it down. Dempsey agreed he approved the contract but said he relied on the city manager and department heads to provide recommendations. Lattimore was nettled for his decision to abstain because his cousin served on the fire department.
Former councilor Bill Jacobs countered by asking if council filled empty positions to prevent overtime situations.
�Do you want someone who has experience in the private sector,� Lattimore asked later, gesturing to both he and Dempsey. �Or do you want someone who, looking at a contract, may have some favoritism.�
When asked for positions on having a private company operate the city-owned landfill, all candidates gave different shades of the same answer.
Dempsey used almost all of his three minutes to explain the landfill�s financial situation, but finished by saying he was against it.
Lattimore didn�t answer specifically, simply saying he would rather the city employees be in the �power business not the landfill business.�
Quill said he was against the idea at first, but would examine all possibilities.
Student body president Garret Komarisky moderated the event, at times reining the candidates back to an open forum rather than debating each other.
He asked the men about the college�s future, the event�s setting.
Dempsey said he wanted to explore making the school into a four-year institution.
Lattimore spoke about school�s geospatial innovations, and later revisited the issue at the urging of an Ithaca College student in the audience. He went on to say he didn�t know if expanding was the right thing for the college.
Quill suggested the college partner with businesses and area workplaces to give students access.
They also covered economic development. Small businesses are important to economic growth, and the city should care for what�s here, Dempsey said.
Lattimore pointed to increasing energy costs that scare away industry as the main factor that needs attention. Quill shunned the maverick-type maneuvers thus far used to building industry and pushed teamwork, especially leaning on the employees and groups whose jobs are designed to increase development.
Besides their ideas, the candidates were asked what they would bring to the mayor�s seat.
Dempsey said he would bring his years of political experience � eight on Cayuga County Legislature and eight on Auburn City Council � as well as his knowledge of the private sector.
�With all due respect, Mayor Lattimore has four years to do what he thought was best,� Dempsey said.
Quill said he will bring a new perspective and change.
�It�s time for a change. We need our integrity back. It�s embarrassing what goes on... some of the antics at the meetings,� Quill said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
The Citizens' Say
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magpie wrote on Oct 16, 2007 4:23 PM: